He is joined by academic and literary critic Dinah Birch, the current Professor of English Literature at the University of Liverpool, and historian, writer and broadcaster Amanda Foreman.

Academic and writer Bharat Tandon, who has reviewed books for publications including the Times Literary Supplement and the Daily Telegraph, completes the panel.

It is chaired by Sir Peter Stothard, editor of the TLS, who said the 2012 Man Booker judges will begin work this week 'in enthusiasm and expectation'.

'We have two of Britain's finest professional critics, with expertise in novels from the 18th to the 21st century, a distinguished actor who is also an accomplished literary critic and an historian who is one of the most successful biographers of our time,' he added.

The judges will announce the longlist of 12 or 13 titles in July next year, with a shortlist of six books unveiled in September and the winner announced on October 16th at London's Guildhall.